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Himalayan Institute Ashram—Allahabad, India

Ashram Life

Yoga Teachers Training in India; pilgrimage to Allahabad, the "City of God" India

Immersed in the spirit of yoga on the banks of the Mother Ganga, that is also the river Ganga (Ganges) in Allahabad, the "City of God" and home to the Himalayan Institute in India … absorbing the wisdom of an unbroken spiritual lineage in its homeland and sharing the teachings of the masters from a month long pilgrimage to the Himalayan Institute in Allahabad, India.

Whether on a pilgrimage to India or staying in our own rooms, we are all on a journey towards enlightenment. As in a labyrinth, perhaps there are no wrong turns on the way, but surely our consciousness about the journey can bring clarity, and how compassionate we are with ourselves and others can ease the path. ….

Boat ride on Ganges to Triveni Sangam (site of the Kumbh Mela)

Visiting local Allahabad sacred sites of the spiritual lineage (it is said, that Lord Rama visited Allahabad when he was in exile):

Sacred city of Hinduism was formerly called 'Prayag' in commemoration of a sacrifice done by Lord Brahma. It is best known as host to the mind-boggling number of Kumbh pilgrims who visit this endearing city every 12 years. The Prakrista Yajna was performed here by Lord Brahma. That is how it received its ancient name, Prayag. Allahabad is also called Tirtha-Raja, king of all holy places.

According to Hindu mythology for the 'Prakrishta Yagna' Lord Brahma chose a piece of land on the earth on the confluence of the three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mytical Sarswati rivers would merge into a confluence. The land being surrounded by these 3 rivers would serve as the prime and central altar and came to be known as 'Prayag' today known as Allahabad.

Khumb Mela, Allahabad The most sacred spot in Allahabad is Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three of the holiest rivers of the Hindu mythology, the holy Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Devout Hindus from all over India come to this sacred pilgrimage point to offer prayers and take a dip in the holy waters. It is believed that a holy dip taken at the Sangam washes away all sins.

Delhi, Gandhi Memorial, Taj Mahal Mausoleum of Mumtaz

Delhi, the Red Fort or the Lal Quila, situated on the western bank of the river Yamuna forms the majestic centerpiece of Mughal Emperor Shahajahan's medieval walled city 'Shah Jahanabad' (Old Delhi). This sandstone citadel encompasses grand audience halls, marble palaces ornamented with exquisite pietra dura once embedded with precious stones, a market place where the royalty used to shop, a mosque, and gardens with marbled fountains, plazas, baths etc.

Delhi, Gandhi museum and memorial, the origin of this Museum goes back to the period soon after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on the fateful evening of January 30, 1948, when the slow process of scouting for, collecting and preserving the personal relics, manuscripts, books, journals and documents, photographic and audio-visual material, all that could go into a Museum on the life, philosophy and work of Gandhi--began in an ostentatious way in city of Bombay, now known as Mumbai.

Agra, Taj Mahal Mausoleum of Mumtaz, perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration from tourists and travelers alike, as the magnificent Taj Mahal - fondly called by people as the ultimate requiem of love, from a great Mughal Emperor to his beloved

Chitracut

Chitracut, Bharat Milap temple -- Kamadgiri, the original Chitrakoot, is a place of prime religious significance. A forested hill, it is skirted all along its base by a chain of temples and is venerated today, as the holy embodiment of Rama. The Bharat Milap temple is located here, marking the spot where Bharat is said to have met Rama to persuade him to return to the throne of Ayodhya. Many are the faithful who perform the ritual circuit (parikrama), of the sacred hill, to ask for a boon or a blessing.

Ghats of Varanasi and Sarnath

Varanasi (formerly known as Benares) - Kaasi is considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India. It is considered home to Shiva - Visweswara. Varanasi is also known as Kaasi because it is believed that Supreme brilliance shines there, and lights the way to salvation (Kas - to shine). Varanasi is located between two rivers Varana and Asi, and hence the name Varanasi.

Sarnath, after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Gautama Buddha started teaching not to debate but for the advantage of and out of compassion for human beings. He explained the middle way which avoids extremes, the Four Noble Truths, and prescribed the Eight-fold path. The Four Noble Truths are: 1. There is suffering; 2. Suffering has a cause; 3. The cause is removable, and 4. There are ways to remove the causes. So as to remove the causes the Buddha prescribed an Eight-fold Path: Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right effort, Right mindfulness, Right concentration, Right attitude and Right view.